TODD G. HIGDON: Fishing season starts soon

OK, I know that it seems far, far away, but fishing season will soon be upon us. Next Friday, March 1, area fishermen and fisherwomen will converge on Roaring River in Cassville for the annual opening day of trout season.

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Neosho Daily News - Neosho, MO

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Posted Feb. 20, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Updated Feb 20, 2013 at 7:25 PM

Posted Feb. 20, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Updated Feb 20, 2013 at 7:25 PM

OK, I know that it seems far, far away, but fishing season will soon be upon us. Next Friday, March 1, area fishermen and fisherwomen will converge on Roaring River in Cassville for the annual opening day of trout season.

Personally, I have never attended this event – I have always wanted to, but usually it has always been on a day of the week when I have had to work or was in school. So, maybe one day, I will.

I have talked to friends and did interviews about people who have attended this annual event. My best friend, Steve Haas, used to go to Cassville's schools and he stated they would cancel school for this day. Wow, what a neat holiday.

It has been a while since I went fishing, but I remember years and years ago when I begged and pleaded with my parents to go fishing. Then one day, we went. They helped us get the right stuff such as fishing poles, nets, tackle box and even the bait. Now I used both the lures and even cheese and hot dogs, but when it came time to get the worms, my grandfather, Pop Garner, came to the rescue.

Pop lived down the street near the Newtonia Branch and one day, he was outside digging in the ground for the worms.

So with all of the fixings, Mom, Dad, Greg and I hopped into Dad's truck, heading to Jolly Mill, in the eastern part of Newton County. We found our spot and within a matter of a few minutes, the line dipped, signifying that I had a bite on the line. I reeled it in and there was a fish, actually a small sun perch. Smiling from ear to ear, I wanted to try it again and so I did. I think that day, along with the family, we snagged four or six fish.

Now came the part of what to do with them. I decided that I wanted to show my grandparents and we took them home to Newtonia. The perch were too small to eat, so we let them go in the Newtonia Branch.

After that successful day of fishing, I would later go when I could to either Jolly Mill, down here in Neosho by Lime Kiln Road and even in Carthage.

Years after Grandpa Garner passed away, one of the items that was given to me was his old tackle box. I still have it and I really hope to use it soon.

Fishing gives me a time to relax and think about things.

I encourage each of you if you have the time, it is a valuable hobby and one that you will treasure forever.

And who knows, maybe soon I will be on the banks of the Roaring River in Cassville with the thousands upon thousands of trout fishermen and fisherwomen on March 1.

Page 2 of 2 - Todd G. Higdon is a staff writer and writes a weekly column for the Neosho Daily News. He can be reached at tghigdon@neoshodailynews.com.